Modified paint tray



Feb. 5, 1957 A. E. OGREN MODIFIED PAINT TRAY Filed March 51, 1953 INVENTOR. AXLQ- 5. 06/?15 /V MODIFED PAINT TRAY Axel E. Ogren, Chicago, Ill, assignor to The Sherwin- Williams Company, Cleveland, ;Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1953, Serial No. 345,345

1 Claim. (Ci. 15121.2)

The present invention relates as indicated to a modified paint tray. More specifically, this invention relates to a paint tray incorporating a spring positioned dipping deflector.

With the advent of the paint roller, it has become increasingly simple for individuals to apply paintin their own homes. The paint roller has also simplified the job of professional painters. However, the pans now in use with the usual paint applicator rollers are far from satisfactory in that very little paint can be placed into the pan because of the fact that the roller is dipped in the deep part of the pan and then moved up to the shallow part where the excess paint is removed from the roller before being applied to the surface to be coated. If paint is applied to the applicator roller and the excess is not removed, the painted wall does not have an even appearance in that the first application is usually very thick and the subsequent strokes apply less paint. Therefore, it has become necessary to fashion the paint containing pan such that it contains a deep part for the paint reservoir and a shallow part where paint usually does not reach so that the applicator may be moved lightly over the ribs provided in such shallow part, and the excess removed allowed to flow back down to the paint-containing portion of the pan. Unless such pans are made exceedingly large, only a very small amount may be placed therein. Thus it becomes necessary to continually fill up the pan, thereby adding time to the job. It is also true when using a brush that the brush must be first dipped into the paint and then the excess removed as by pressing lightly on the sides of the pan or the can.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a modified paint tray for roller or brush which is simple of construction, easy of operation for both the amateur painter and the professional.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paint tray that provides a surface above the paint level that is clear of paint and that may be forced down into the paint level and returned back to its position above the paint level so that excess paint may be easily removed from the applicator.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a paint tray that when used with the ordinary paint roller provides sufiicient reservoir space for paint so that one filling will last a considerable time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a con version unit whereby an ordinary pan found in the home may be converted to a modified paint tray containing a false bottom.

Other objects of this invention appear as the description proceeds.

It has been found that if a shelf-like strainer is maintained over the surface of the paint or liquid being applied, and is capable of being pressed down into the liquid and then released back into its original position above the paint or liquid level, the applicator may then be cleared of the excess by merely running the applitates Patent cator lightly over the substantially paint-free surface. In this way substantially all of the disadvantages listed above are avoided.

Broadly stated, then, this invention comprises a modified paint tray comprising the combination of a paint tray having a perforated false bottom maintained in spaced relationship with the bottom of said paint tray by spring members.

More specifically stated, this invention provides a modified paint tray comprising the combination of a rectangular paint container, a second unit adapted to be contained Within and cooperate with said paint container, said second unit having a flat perforated surface being maintained in normally elevated relationship with respect to at least a portion of the bottom of said paint container by spring members attached to said second member and contacting said paint container.

In .said drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a modification; and,

Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the device of this invention.

Fig. 1 shows a modification of the device of this invention. In this embodiment, the pan is oblong on the plan view. However, the bottom or transverse view is that of a triangle. In other words, the two ends are shallow while the center of the pan 21 is deep. The legs 22 are so positioned and proportioned along the bottom of pan 21 that the top edges of pan 21 are horizontal to the surface. Formed within pan 21 are two fiat plates 23 and 24. Said plates 23 and 24 are perforated and are joined together by fiat springs 25. The springs 25 are attached to plates 23 and 24 as by rivets shown at 26. The springs are sufiiciently stiff to keep the two plates 23 and 24 in substantially horizontal position with the upper surface of pan 21. Thus in the practical operation of this embodiment of the device, paint is added to paint-containing tray 21 up to but not touching the bottom surface of plates 23 and 24. The brush or applicator to be saturated with paint is placed upon the plates 23 and 24 and pressure is applied in a downward direction, forcing the plates 23 and 24 into the level of the paint. The paint flows through the perforations in said plates and saturates the applicator or brush held thereon. When pressure is: released the two plates are returned to a substantially horizontal position out of contact with the paint within the container 21. The roller is then lightly passed over the perforated plates 23 and 24 and excess paint is removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 illustrates the device of this invention. The paint-containing tray 27 in this case is the conventional rectangular fiat bottomed pan such as is commonly found in most households. Such pans are usually used for baking and other cooking purposes. The dipping deflector in this embodiment is composed of three portions. The two end portions 28 and 29 are formed with overturned lips, 30 and 31, that are adapted to hook over the upper edges of pan 27. The overturned lip Si} is made in the form of a hook which. fits rather tightly over one of the upper edges of pan 27. Overturned lip 31 is made in the form of a wide radius curve which laterally slideably engages the other upper edge of pan 27. The center portion or plate 32 is fastened to outer plates 29 and 28 by means of two fiat springs 33 and 34. The fiat springs 33 and 34 may be made separate or of one piece construction. The plates 23, 29 and 32 are rigidly fastened to the springs 33 and 3-4 by any suitable means as shown at 35. The springs 33 and 34 are of sufficient strength to keep the three plates substantially horizontal with the bottom of pan 27. The plates 28, 29 and 32 are perforated in any suitable means. In the practical operation of this embodiment of the invention, paint is added to the container 27 up to but not touching the bottom surfaces of plates 28, 29 and 32. To apply paint to a roller, or applicator, it is only necessary to place the roller upon the plates and press them down into the surface of the paint. Upon release of pressure, Spring tension returns the three plates back to approximately a horizontal position above the level of 5 the fiuid and the excess may be removed from the roller by merely running said roller over the perforated surfaces of the plates.

The foregoing system and paint tray device may be employed even by an unskilled workman and may be employed to carry out the novel method for removing excess paint from paint applicators. Although the invention has been described in detail, it is not to be limited thereby because many changes and modifications may be made without departing therefrom.

Other modes of applying the principle of this invention may be employed instead of those specifically set forth above, changes being made as regards the details herein disclosed, provided the elements set forth in the following claim, or the equivalent of such be employed.

It is, therefore, particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as the invention:

In a modified paint tray, the combination of a pan and a false bottom within said pan, said false bottom comprising three flat perforated portions held together in adjacent relationship by a plurality of leaf spring means secured to each fiat perforated portion, one end portion of said false bottom being in the form of a hook to engage one edge of said pan while the other end portion of said false bottom being in the form of a Wide radius curve adapted to laterally slideably engage the other end of said pan whereby said false bottom is maintained in yieldably spaced relationship with the bottom of said pan.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

